Senate Advances NASA Chief Nominee Isaacman

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee votes 18-10 to approve the Shift4 Payments founder and private astronaut.

Jack Daleo

Tuesday, December 09, 2025 at 11:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Shift4 Payments founder Jared Isaacman moves closer to securing the role of NASA Administrator. [Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls]

Key Takeaways:

Jared Isaacman's nomination for NASA Administrator was advanced by a Senate committee with bipartisan support, despite his previous withdrawal and ongoing scrutiny.
A leaked "Athena" plan caused controversy by suggesting shifts such as prioritizing Mars over Artemis, increasing reliance on commercial spacecraft, and significant cuts to science programs and the workforce.
Isaacman defended "Athena" as a "living document" and assured senators of his commitment to the Artemis lunar program and current vehicles (SLS/Orion), while emphasizing NASA's role in pioneering endeavors beyond commercial capability.

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In an 18-10 decision, the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on Monday voted to advance the nomination of President Donald Trump’s pick for NASA Administrator, Shift4 Payments founder and private astronaut Jared Isaacman.

Despite concerns over his recently leaked “Athena” plan, ties to SpaceX and CEO Elon Musk, and circumstances of his reemergence after Trump withdrew his initial nomination in May, Isaacman won bipartisan support as expected. The committee in April previously advanced Isaacman’s nomination to the full Senate in a 19-9 vote, days before he was removed from consideration.